Bhopal: Cong corporators seek ban on goods from China, Pak

Congress corporators told the Bhopal civic body’s general council meeting on Thursday they would not allow goods from China and Pakistan enter the city, a move that comes amid increasing cross-border tensions.

Leader of opposition Mohammad Sageer (left) during BMC council meeting in Bhopal on Thursday.(Chandresh Mathur/HT photo)

Congress corporators told the Bhopal civic body’s general council meeting on Thursday they would not allow goods from China and Pakistan enter the city, a move that comes amid increasing cross-border tensions.

The Congress members’ stand and opposition leader Mohammed Sageer’s statements on civic body’s properties stalled the council meeting that was organised to discuss poor road maintenance, water supply problems and the proposed smart city.

“We will not let any crackers, lights and decorative items made in China enter Bhopal. We have put forward a proposal at the general council meeting and will talk to mayor and commissioner on the issue,” said Congress corporator Monu Saxena.

“If needed, we won’t hesitate to (stage a) demonstrate. After the Uri terror attack that killed 19 soldiers and the following strikes, we need to ban goods from China and Pakistan in Bhopal,” said Saxena.

Congress corporator Yogendra Chouhan demanded that the BMC ban goods from Pakistan such as mangoes, onions and carpets.

During the question hour, Sageer accused the civic body of being involved in corruption and sought to know how much the BMC gets from movable and immovable properties. The statements angered mayor Alok Sharma who asked Sageer to follow the code of conduct.

The council gave nod to the proposals presented during the meeting. The BMC has received offers for three shops located at the multi-level parking projects at MP Nagar and Sant Hirdaram Nagar. These shops are among the 92 shops for which BMC has decided to sell it to the highest bidder.

Under the ‘Immovable property transfer rules 2016’, the lease of Kendriya Bhandar Nigam, Chola road will be renewed for 30 years. Also, 18 shops at the multi-level parking in Sant Hirdaram Nagar will be allotted to the State Bank of India on rent for five years.

Just like the BMC has started garbage collection from door to door, the waste dumped on roads by residents during construction would now be picked up by the BMC using dumpers for a charge of Rs 1,500 per trip.

The other decisions included termination of deputations of six officers. The action was taken after a HT report highlighted that the officials were not following rules and extending their deputation for more than three years.